WSP05315

• File Number: 8220.100.36
• Description: CRSP
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/1993
• Author: NOAA
• Title: 1993 Guide to Water Supply Forecasting
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

II.

GENERAL INFORMATION & CONVENTIONS

Seasonal water supply forecasts are released in several monthly (January -
May) publications, including the Water Supply Outlook Report of the Colorado
Basin River Forecast Center (RFC) , National Weather Service. The Outlook
Report is issued in three parts, one for the Upper Colorado Basin, one for
the Lower Colorado Basin, and one for the State of Utah (parts of both the
Great and Colorado basins)

Forecasts represent a coordinated effort between the National Weather
Service, Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclammation, U.S.
Geological Survey, Salt River Project, and local water district managers.

Forecast period: In most basins, April 1 through July 31. Due to the
earlier melt in the Lower Colorado Basin, the forecast period begins sooner
and decrements each month to include only the future. Specifically, the
period shifts from January 1 through May 31 at the beginning of January to
April 1 through May 31 at the beginning of April.

Forecast units: thousands of acre-feet (kaf). One acre-foot is equivalent to
the volume represented by one acre of area covered one foot deep (43,560
cubic feet or approximately 326,000 gallons).

30 year averages: arithmetic average of values over the 1961-90 period.

30 year medians: median of values over the 1961-90 period. The median, or
middle value, is used in lieu of the average in the Lower Colorado Basin.
With respect to the median, one half of the values are above that level and
one half of them are below it.

Note: Data used In this report are provisional and subiect to revision.

For more information, or to be included on the mailing list, please contact:

Colorado Basin River Forecast Center, National Weather Service
337 N. 2370 W. ; Salt Lake City, UT 84116; (801) -524-5130

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